2014 Big 50

Tammy Whitworth

Window World,
North Wilkesboro,
NC

When Window World, the
largest home improvement company in the U.S., turned into a franchise in 2011,
it was in an effort to attach “a unified, consistent message” to the company’s
vaunted brand.

Starting as a single-unit
location, developing into a branded dealer network, then becoming a franchise,
Window World has evolved into not only the dominant seller/installer of vinyl
windows in the U.S., with sales approaching $500 million, but the country’s
largest dedicated home improvement contractor. While industrywide sales of
window units plunged after the recession by almost one-third, this company
continued to post consistent sales gains.

Now their president, Dana
Deem, says that Window World wants the other world to know it’s “more than a
window company.” The North Carolina giant is in the midst of a transition from
being a window replacement company to a full-fledged exterior remodeler,
offering siding and doors through its 150-plus franchise units.

Door sales at the company
have taken off, increasing 42% last year, as the corporate division of Window
World negotiated supplier agreements and franchisees grew comfortable building
door add-on sales into their window calls.

Takeaways

Founded by the late Todd Whitworth and his wife (and
current CEO) Tammy, Window World is a philanthropic organization that has
expanded to become a major supporter for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,
the children’s research hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Window World was St. Jude’s No.1
corporate partner last year.

Window World’s chief pilot Johnny Johnston persuaded the
company to volunteer the use of its plane to Veterans Airlift Command, a
nonprofit providing free air transportation to post-9/11 combat wounded
veterans and their families for medical and other purposes. Last year Window
World flew 19 such missions, a total of 58 so far.

Deem says that the company seeks to “fill out the map”
by adding West Coast franchises. Meanwhile, Window World identified 13 markets
in Canada to expand into, with necessary trademarks already applied for and in
the works.